I wrote this article for my The McKenzie River Valley of Oregon Website a while back, regarding Cougar Dam. The dam is located just a few miles off of HWY 126 near Blue River, Oregon.
These photos were taken on Friday and Saturday over Thanksgiving weekend, 2009. It was raining on Friday, and cold and clear on Saturday when we were driving around taking the pictures. There are links added at the bottom of this post with more information on the area.
Starting at the dam, we turned right and headed towards the lagoon parking lot where people park to go to Terwillger "Cougar" Hot Springs. When we walked the 1/2 mile trail from the parking lot to the springs that day, we found that winds had caused these trees to fall. They have since been removed.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
If you keep heading down that road (Forest Service Road 19 also known as "Aufderheide Memorial Drive") you will find the French Pete Recreation Area. If you follow the road all the way to the end, you will end up on Hwy 58 near Oakridge. That is a summer drive though. The roads are windy and not maintained during the winter months.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
The other side of the dam,
towards the McKenzie Highway.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
These photos were at the dam and temperature control area:
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Link to ODFW Temperature Control Tower Info:
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
The lake itself is 6 miles long, but the road to the
Slide Creek boat landing and campground is 8 miles long.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
This is the creek coming from the
hot springs that fills up the lagoon.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
During the summer months, this whole area is a deep lagoon.
They drain the water of the whole lake
during the winter for flood control.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
These are pictures of the
waterfall that empties into the lagoon.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
This is the "island" in the lake itself, across the road from the lagoon and trail to the hot springs. Come to find out it is securely attached to the other side, and is not an island at all. During the summer you would think it is an island, because you only see the top.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
To see my post on a summer view of the lagoon, please " CLICK HERE ".
1 comment:
Absolutely amazing photographs, Kathy. Another great job of capturing the beauty of life around you.
Best,
Gloria
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